Fast-paced Home Opener Sets Stage for Rematch tonight.

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Solid Second Half Leaves Energy With Victory

The Edmonton Energy kept a promise to themselves last night.

"We wanted to play well in our first home game," leading scorer Stephen Sir said after a 114-96 victory over the Vancouver Titans. "Except for a few lapses, we think we did play well."

A solid first quarter let the Energy build a 22-point lead midway through the second quarter, but it was narrowed to two points at the half -- a sign that the improving Titans will be tough for any International Basketball League opponent this season.

Head coach Paul Sir feels the same way about his team.

"This is a league of scoring runs," he said. "Vancouver started to shoot the ball well in the second quarter. You have to expect that, but we stopped rebounding or playing defence."

Some halftime adjustments stopped the bleeding and the Energy, thanks largely to solid outside shooting by young Sir and some brilliant individual play by Steven Parker, quickly regained control.

"I feel good about the win and good about the team," the coach said. "We stifll show signs of not playing together very much, but that will change as the season goes on."

Sir finished with 26 points while Skousen Harker had 23 and Parker contributed 20 points. "It’s always fun when the good guys win," Harker later joked to hometown fans.

"They (Vancouver) will want to get a win of their own tomorrow (Saturday). We have to make sure they don’t get it."

Other scorers in double figures for Edmonton were Kevin Shand with 13 points and Lee Scruggs and William Funn with 10 each.

"We’re a little worried about Lee’s back," coach Sir said, "but we’re sure he’ll be available for the next game."

Top scorers for Vancouver were Kyle Keyes with 22 points and Josh Washington with 19.